Phytochemical-loaded liposomes for anticancer therapy: an updated review

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Nanotechnology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Current chemotherapy faces challenges including severe adverse effects, narrow therapeutic indexes, and multidrug resistance.
• Anticancer phytochemicals from natural plants offer alternative therapies but suffer from poor bioavailability and non-specific targeting.
• These limitations reduce the clinical efficacy of promising natural anticancer agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review liposomal nanovesicle approaches for delivering anticancer phytochemicals.
• To discuss recent advances in liposomal formulations for cancer phytotherapy.
• To highlight strategies for improving the therapeutic effectiveness of phytochemicals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on liposomal delivery systems for phytochemicals.
• Analysis of studies focusing on overcoming bioavailability and targeting challenges.
• Evaluation of recent advancements in cancer phytotherapy using nanovesicular formulations.

Main Results:

• Liposomal nanovesicles improve the delivery of anticancer phytochemicals by enhancing cell barrier transport.
• These formulations offer improved cancer-specific targeting capabilities.
• Liposomal encapsulation addresses issues of poor bioavailability and high dose requirements for phytochemicals.

Conclusions:

• Liposomal nanovesicles represent a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of anticancer phytochemicals.
• This approach effectively tackles major limitations associated with natural anticancer compounds.
• Further research into liposomal phytotherapy holds significant potential for improved cancer treatment.